Desolation in the Lion's Den

Written By George D. Verlander

The three Lions, the living embodiment of England and the representation of it proud majesty, are currently licking their wounds, inflicted from the source on an unlikely pair of foes. An Emu and Kangaroo, to be precise.

During the summer, the remains of an Australian side consisting of only one “world class” talent in Michael Clarke, made their way to England. In conclusion they were defeated 3-0 in what was not at all a rollover, but merely a tense, close contest that at some instances could have gone either way. Nevertheless, no longer were the likes of Ponting, Hayden, Langer, Lee, Warne, McGrath and Gilchrist gracing the side, several, solid pillars that had upheld Australia’s consistent golden age for over a decade. The time for Australia to lay down and die had come; turmoil in management had arisen, complications between skipper and a frontline batsman were evident and the team evolved into the uncanny resemblance of a Woodham Mortimer 1^st & 2^nd XI, infamous for their unsteady bowling displays and even more unsteady batting attempts, often resulting in dreary, laughable collapses.

Slinking back over to the other side of the world the team returned home with their tail between their legs; disgruntled by their Ashes display. However, under the guidance of Darren Lehman, strict training regimes and an honest acceptance of where the team are in terms of test cricket (5^th in the ICC test rankings) they were determined to claw their way back. Refreshed, motivated and hell-bent on revenge the Aussies were going to ensure that they would once again be their greatest rival’s reckoning.

And that’s exactly what they have done.

Kicking off at The Gabba, Australia posted a reasonable 295 before yielding to the English bowling barrage, Stuart Broad taking six of the wickets and ending on figures of 6/81 of 24 overs. Assurance was running high in the tourist’s dressing room, was this to be a repeat of the earlier 2013 clash? No, was the simple answer. In reply to the measly total England were all out for 136, failing to capitalize on Australia’s average score. The 2^nd innings was underway promptly, Australia, shocked with the early Christmas present from their enemy, chalked up 401 for seven (declared.) The target was set. However, it appeared all too easy on paper, and once again England were tormented by Mitchell Johnson – a man who was the primary focus of endless insults from the traveling fans – as he relished their chants of “he bowls the left, he bowls the right, Mitchell Johnson, he’s bowling is s****” retorting with 5/42 off 21.1 overs. His nine wickets overall granted him the man of the match award, pummeling England’s line up with frightening pace, Michael Carberry the sole resistance of a shattered team with a score of just 40 off 113 balls. Michael Clarke, the Australian captain, obviously didn’t think the climate was warm enough and so propelled the series into a new blazing heat with his comments towards James Anderson towards the conclusion of the test, assuring him to “get ready for a broken f****** arm” as he faced down Mitchell Johnson’s torrent. Controversy consumed the aftermath, a debate whether this was so called “banter” or a prime example of an overstepped line, split between everyone from fans to the players themselves. England had fallen into hysteria, their firm grasp on Australia’s throat had loosened, and consequently they had allowed the old adversary to gain a foothold towards the reformation of their forgotten dominance.

The 2^nd test wasn’t much of an improvement for the visitors. Once again, wining the toss on what seemed a perfect batting pitch, Australia, intoxicated with confidence seeping from their very pores took England’s bowlers to ruins. Chris Rogers (72), Shane Watson (51), George Bailey (53) and Ryan Harris (55) all reached half centuries. However, the combination of the skipper and wicket keeper’s total caused the most tragic damage. Brad Haddin (118) hit a superb ton with eleven 4’s and five 6’s notched on his tally. However, leading from the front Michael Clarke showed why he was the most gifted batsman amongst the ranks, hitting 148 runs and excelling the total to 570 before declaring on the 9^th wicket. Have a go at that then England. Alas, we might of known. 172 – all out was the response, Ian Bell (72*) the only one to highlight a glimmer of form that he had so fiercely demonstrated in the previous Ashes conflict, where he won player of the series.  Hungry for more the Aussies once again went into bat, posting 132 with only three wickets down when Clarke declared, bringing his boys back in from the wicket as the smell of blood thickened in the air. Mitchell Johnson, who had slain several wickets in England’s first innings, stalked them once more like a great white after a seal pup. He quickly dismissed the England captain, Alistair Cook for 1; Cook showing diminished scores in back to back matches now. However, the pick of the bowlers was the constant unsung Peter Siddle, who seized 4 of England’s batting line-up, finishing on figures of 4/57 off 19 overs. Joe Root (87) played with integrity and continued to offer his childlike smirk in correspondence to Johnson’s aggressive leer; a feature often displayed towards any batsman that came into his eye line. He’d most likely picked up a few tips from my personal bowling acts, taking detailed notes on how to startle a player with a hostile stare! Johnson was once again in the action with Ben Stokes after the two briefly collided with each other in the centre of the wicket as the batsman pulled a bouncer down to the leg side boundary. Johnson, who took offence to the knock, followed Stokes angrily towards the non-strikers end, where the argument had to be dissolved by the umpires as the two sized each other up. Pietersen (53) reached his half-century after a poor performance in the previous test, and Matt Prior (69) showed promise in his return to good nick – something that had been non-existent in England’s middle order at The Gabba. Unfortunately however, the target was set too great and on the final day England were for a second time cleaned up by their foe; Australia increasing their lead to 2-0 in the series.

What has been the catalyst of England’s demise? Perhaps the psychological breakdown of one of their most sturdy batsman, Jonathan Trott, who failed to cope with the extreme pace of Australia’s opening bowler – who has taken 17 wickets so far in this series - could have begun the domino effect? Could it be blamed on the management and training staff;in their last 20 consecutive test matches England have failed to pass 400 and 21 of England’s 40 dismissals so far in this series have come from leg side catches. Do we have no answer to the short-pitched ball? It would appear not. Is it possible that Australia have finally gotten inside the psyche of England, so far under their skin with sledging that they can manipulate the very actions of their prey? One thing is for certain, if this continues Australia will have another 5-0 whitewash under their belt, and would more than deserve it.

England captain Alistair Cook brought to light his responsibility not only as skipper but also as an opening batsman at the end of the 2^nd test. “I need to score more runs, we all do. But there are only so many times you can tell the lads to do it, and if you’re not doing it, it makes it harder. I’m there at the top of the order as a batter, and in the last two games I haven’t been scoring enough runs." Mitchell Johnson, who won the man of the match again during the second test also spoke of his performances “I’m bowling in short spells, that is what Michael has wanted me to do through this series so far, and it’s something that I have really enjoyed doing. I guess having that intimidation factor is definitely a bonus.”

It pains me to confirm that the dense unity of the England cricket team seem to be crumbling under the weight of a team seeking retribution. Australia, tasting two sweet essences in back to back test’s, will not stop now until they have firmly reinstated their previous supremacy. Where do England go from here? The team that not so long ago held the title of the highest ranked test side in the world seem  a distant memory at this point; a selection of timid schoolchildren who have been bullied out of their wickets from the new Mitchell Johnson, who returns to his home ground in the 3^rd Ashes test match at Perth on Friday 13^th of December. Is it possibly we could blame the ironic, negative omen on another pitiful performance?

We have been outplayed and outgunned in every way so far and although I would like nothing better than for England to come back 3-2 now it's most certainly a long, lost cause. We must respect Australia again for the way they have returned. This post is not at all a glorified worship of the team but merely a realistic scrutiny of the facts; if we had at all showed some shred of positivity it would of been mentioned. Although that too, much like England's batting order, has all but disappeared.  

For now it appears that the three Lion’s pride has somewhat disbanded, both in a metaphorical, and literal sense.